Ballots for Aug. 6 election set

Warren County voters now have their first look at the ballot they’ll see when early voting begins next month for the Aug. 6 state primary and county general election.

Sample ballots released by the Warren County Election Commission show several contested local races headlining the election cycle, including races for District Attorney General, County Executive, Sheriff and multiple School Board and County Commission seats. Early voting is scheduled for July 17 through Aug. 1, with Election Day set for Thursday, Aug. 6. The voter registration deadline is July 7.

Sample ballots for the Aug. 6 election were released Monday afternoon by the Warren County Election Commission. They appear below (click an image to enlarge):

Locally, one of the highest-profile races on the ballot will be the race for District Attorney General in the 31st Judicial District. Voters will choose between independent candidates Matt Colvard, Randal Gilliam and Lisa Zavogiannis to fill the unexpired term created by the resignation of former DA Chris Stanford and currently held by Colvard after an appointment by the governor. August's winner will run for reelection, if they choose, in 2030.

The Warren County Executive race will also feature a four-way contest between Republican nominee Terry L. Bell, Democratic nominee J.C. Petit Jr. and independent candidates James Ferrell and Jason McEwen. Bell and Petit secured their party nominations during the May primary election, while Ferrell and McEwen advanced directly to the August general election as independents.

In the race for sheriff, incumbent Jackie Matheny Jr., the Republican nominee, will face independent challenger James “Bo” Ramsey.

Two Warren County School Board races will also appear on the ballot. In District 1, Republican nominee Monti McMahan Hillis will face independent candidate Nikki Griffith Reynolds, while the District 5 seat features an all-independent race between Chris Cope and James T. Jacobs. District 3 candidate James Hines, who most recently sat on the Warren County Commission, is unopposed.

Several county commission races will also feature contested general election matchups, particularly in districts where independent candidates qualified and advanced past the May primary election.

District 1 voters will choose among Republican Ron Lee, Democrat Joan Harris Presley and independents Christy Ross and Ryan Sexton Sr. for two available seats. District 4 includes Republicans Blaine Wilcher and James Zahn, Democrat David Dunlap and independent Dustin Stoetzel competing for two seats.

Other contested commission races include District 5, where independent Melody Martin joins incumbents Brad Hillis and Scott Kelly on the ballot; District 9, where independent Carlene Brown joins Republicans Richard Blackburn Jr. and Stephen Potter; District 10, featuring Cole Taylor, Brandon Knight and Gary Prater; District 11, where independent Steve Glenn joins Republicans Michael Bell and Tyler Simmons; and District 12, where independent Tommy Davenport challenges Republicans Carl Bouldin and Kenny Moffitt. Districts 7 and 8 are essentially decided, with Tommy Savage and Caleb Graves in the former the only qualified candidates, while Randy England and Scott Rubley are the only candidates in District 8. Barring an overwhelming write-in campaign, those four will take their respective commission seats Sept. 1.

At the state level, Republican voters will choose among Marsha Blackburn, Monty Fritts and John Rose in the gubernatorial primary, while Democratic voters will select from a five-candidate field.

Republican Congressman Scott DesJarlais faces primary opposition from Thomas E. Davis, Joshua James and Harold “Rocky” Jones in the 4th Congressional District race, while Democrats will choose between Victoria Broderick, Mike Cortese, Cliff Huffman, Tim Lanier and Joyce E. Neal.

Locally, Republican incumbent Paul Sherrell faces Dewayne Howard in the GOP primary for Tennessee House District 43, while Samantha Petit is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

The Aug. 6 ballot also includes several uncontested county races, constable races and statewide judicial retention questions involving Tennessee appellate judges.